: The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to clarify recent Media Reports regarding Outstanding Payments associated with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Football Tournament, as published in one of today’s daily newspapers.
The Office acknowledges concerns raised by participating Teams, Service Providers, and Stakeholders regarding delays in the processing of Allowances, Prize Monies, and other related Payments. However, the Office wishes to assure all Parties that funding for the MSG Tournament obligations has already been secured and is in place.
The current delay is not due to lack of funds, but rather arises from Banking processes, Administrative clearances, and Procedural requirements that must be complied with before Payments can be finalised and disbursed.
Deputy Chief of Staff – Administration, Mr. Henry Leia, who is overseeing the matter within the Office of the Prime Minister, confirmed that significant progress has been made in recent weeks to resolve all outstanding issues.
“The Office has been actively working over the past several weeks to ensure all necessary processes are completed. The funds are available, and what remains are final Administrative and Banking procedures,” Mr. Leia stated.
He further added that, subject to completion of all required processes, Payments are expected to begin later this week.
“We are confident that once the final clearances are completed, Payouts will commence. Our Teams have been working diligently to ensure that all legitimate claims are processed in an orderly and accountable manner,” he said.
The Office emphasizes that due diligence and proper financial procedures are essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with Public Finance Management standards.
While the delay is regretted, these safeguards are necessary to protect both public funds and the integrity of the process.
The Office of the Prime Minister also extends its appreciation to all participating Teams, Service Providers, and Partners for their patience and understanding during this period.
Efforts remain ongoing to ensure that all Outstanding Payments are settled promptly and in full.